Ardian Çapja requests leave for mother's funeral

Ardian Çapja, a convicted criminal leader serving a life sentence, has requested permission from prison authorities to attend his mother's funeral in Elbasan.

Çapja was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime for a 2012 double murder and involvement in a structured criminal group. The authorities are currently reviewing his request, weighing the high security risks involved in transporting a high-profile prisoner and the necessary measures required to ensure safety during the ceremony.

Çapja is a well-known figure to Albanian authorities, linked to long-standing gang conflicts in Elbasan. His history includes surviving multiple assassination attempts, most notably a sniper attack in June 2020 near his residence.